The Deprived and Silenced Ministers Arguments, Argument 1 – Answer 5
I. ARGVMENT.
FOr the ground of all that followeth (toa)That is but iuſtly omitted that can make nothing to the purpoſe. omit without long diſcourſe that principall point that the Goſpell is the power of God vntounto ſalvation (as that which I hope is doubted of none:) It is to be conſidered that the Miniſters in particular aboue mentioned, are theb)So be others alſo, which (I hope) the Suppliants will not deny. Miniſters of Chriſt, ſent by God, and ingrace & favor with God. This isc)They might hauehave ſpared labour in prouing what we never denied. And yet their proofes are ſuch, that they proue not their intent. euident. 1. d)Palpable ignorance. Many lay-men are 1. hated of the world. 2. lead an vnblamable life. and 3. hauehave ſufficient gifts. Ergo, They are Miniſters of Chriſt, ſent by God, &c. Inconſequent. Abſurd.By the hatred of all ſorts of the wicked and vngodly men, Papists, Atheiſts, & Carnall Goſpellers, in ſpeciall manner againſt them. If yee were of the world (ſaith our Sauiour,) the world would louelove his owne, but becauſe yee are not of the world, but I hauehave choſen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Ioh. 15.19. 2. By their vnblameable lifee)They hauehave ill neighbours that cōmend themſelues. But I could wiſh they wer ſuch indeed: albeit they are generally noted to be great teachers and practiſers of vſury. in all other things, the matter onelyonly of Conformity excepted. This hath bin and daily is acknowledged byf)Why do not you name them? thoſe that are Iudges againſt them for the ſaid Conformity. And albeit contempt, ſingularity and ambition be obiected vntounto them, yet how vniuſtly this is obiected, dothg)All this euidence can make but a coniecture, & that ſcarce probable, ſeeing many Heretiques, Papiſts, &c. hauehave ſuffred nore then all this comes to, for their hereſie & ſuperſtition. evidently appeare by the manifold reproches, the great moleſtations, loſſe of liuing, to the vndoing of themſelues, their wiues & Children, and many other wrongs, iniuries, and indignities which they hauehave ſuffred and dayly doe ſuffer. 3. As by theirh)As we enuie not their gifts, ſo we cōmend their paines, & wiſh that they had not put then hands to the plough and looked back, &c. gifts wherewith they are furniſhed for their callings, and by their paines and diligence accordingly in their callings, ſo eſpecially by the bleſsing of GOD vponuponi)It ſeemes they fauour the doctrine De opere operantis: eſpecially waighing the latter part of this phariſaicall compariſon. their ſaid paines and diligence in the knowledge and obedience of the people, in ſuch places where they liue, and in the mutuall louelove and peace of ſuch people among them ſelues: whereas in other places men, for the moſt parte, area)They commend themſelues by diſgracing others. A lying and malicious cenſure. ignorant of all duty to God and man, and therefore prophane, irreligious, contentious, and apt to ſedition and rebellion, as all experience teacheth vsus. This argument iuſtifieth theirb)It is not their calling, but innouation and ſchi… me that is blamed. calling. For howe could they ſo preach to ſuch effectes of knowledge,c)The Refractarie faction hauehave no great cauſe to brag of theſe effects in themſelues. Godlineſſe, loyalty peace and louelove, except they were ſent, Rom. 10.15. That which the Apoſtle ſaith to the Corinthians in the like behalfe touching his Apoſtleſhip, may alſo be ſaid in this touching the miniſtery and calling of theſe men vntounto thoſe people where they are, and among whome the Lord hath ſo bleſſed their miniſteriall laboure, Are ye not my worke in the Lord? If I be not an Apoſtle to other, yet doubtles I am vntounto you for ye are the ſeale of my Apoſtleſhip in the Lord. 1. Cor. 9.1.2. And Againe, ye are our Epiſtle written in our heartes, which is vnderſtood & read of all men, in that ye are manifeſted to be the Epiſtle of Chriſt, miniſtred by vsus, & witten not with inke, but with the ſpirit of the lyuing God, not in tables of ſtone, but in fleſhly tables of the heart. 2. Cor. 3.2.3.
Sith it is ſo; not to ſpeake & put forth your ſelues in behalf of theſe men, is to ſpare ſpeach and paines ford)As if the Refractarie Miniſters Superſtition and ſchiſme were Gods cauſe. God himſelfe & for Chriſt Ieſus. Ex. 16.2. 1. Sam. 8.7. Lu. 10.16. If they are ſaid to deny bodily food, apparrel & lodging vntounto Chriſt himſelf, that deny theſe things to the leaſt of his elect, Math. 25.40. May not they much more be ſaid, to ſpare ſpeech and paines for Chriſt, that ſpare their ſpeech & paines for the euerlaſtinge)As if the kingdome of heauen conſiſted in meate, drinke or other outward thing. Groſſe impudency, or blinde ignorance. ſaluation of many thouſand ſolues? Yea this cannot be denied, ſith all thef)They ſpare ſpeech for Chriſt VVheafore? Becauſe the Godly hauehave put on the Lord Ieſus &c. A ridiculous concluſion. Godly hauehave put on the Lord Ieſus, Gal. 3.25. And are fleſh of his fleſh & bone of his bones. Epheſ. 5.30.
Finally, let this argument the more preuaile with all men, in regard of al that Chriſt Ieſus (whoſe cauſe this is (a)Where, when, and by-whom? ſhewed to be) hath ſuffered and done for vsus.
Reſolution of the 1. Argument.
The Refractary Miniſters are the Miniſters of Chriſt ſent by God, and in grace & fauor with God. Not to ſpeake for them, is to ſpare ſpeech, for God himſelfe, for Chriſt Ieſus (Ex. 16.2.1. Sa. 8.7. Lu. 10.16.) & for the euerlaſting ſaluation of many thouſand ſoules. Ergo. The Honorable and high Court of Parliament ought to intercede with his Maieſtie for them.
ANSWER.
I. To the Antecedent.
WE willingly grant that the Refractary Miniſters are indeed the Miniſters of Chriſt in the miniſtration of his Goſpel, neither is their calling brought in queſtion: & we hope alſo that they are ſent by GOD, & in grace and fauor with GOD. Yet muſt they remember, that their Sanctification being in part, they hauehave but their meaſure of giftes & graces: for our knowledge is but in part, as the Apoſtle teſtifieth; & therefore that they may be ignorant & ouerſeene in ſome things, wherein they ought not to flatter themſelues, but by al meanes labour to come to vnderſtanding, that they may attaine vntounto the knowledge of the trueth.
2. It is true alſo, that not to ſpeake and take paines for the Miniſters of the Goſpell, for ſuch things as properly belong vntounto their Miniſterie, or are requiſite vntounto the performance thereof, is to ſpare ſpeech for GOD, and for Ieſus Chriſt, according vntounto the places quoted in the Argument, and alſo to hinder the ſaluation of Gods people.
3. The Errour is foreign. This is not the Refractary Miniſters caſe: wherefore I anſwere
II. To the Conſequence.
1. If the Suppliants had prayed your High Court of Parliament to intreate in their behalfe for matters which had neceſſarily concerned the Goſpel of Chriſt, or their Miniſterie thereof, or the Saluation of many thouſand Soules, then had your Honorable Aſſemblie ſome reaſon to mediate for them: But ſeeing it is but onelyonly to free them from the Croſſe and Surplice, and ſuch other laudable ceremonies of our Church, commanded for order and decencie ſake, which may well ſtand with the purity of the Goſpell, ſeeing the kingdome of heauen ſtandes not in meate and drinke. &c. Then hauehave theſe importunate Suppliants greater reaſon patiently to beare that burden in the diligent applying their vocation and calling, then to trouble your Wiſdomes with ſuch petty and ſmall matters.
2. The Errour is two fold. 1. foreign. 2. foreign.
II. ARGVMENT.
IT is alſo to be conſidered that the miniſtery of the Goſpell, is not onelyonly for earthly men, but alſoa)An abſurde Paradore. for heauenly Angels. Therefore as the Cherubins were commaunded to be ſet with their faces towards the Mercy ſeate. Exod. 25.20. as looking and liſtening after the Oracles of God that ſhould be giuen from the mercy ſeate to the Church ſo it is not onelyonly ſomewhat obſcurely ſaid concerning thoſe things that are ſhewed by them that preach the Goſpell by the holy Ghoſt, that the Angels doe b)What conſequence is this? The Angels deſire to ſee into the ſ…crets of our Red inption. Ergo. The Miniſterie of the Goſpell is prepared for them. A baculo ad angulum.deſire to behold the ſaide things, 1. Pet. 1.12. But leaſt any man ſhould thinke that to be vnderſtood onelyonly of the accompliſhing of the matters preached in the finall, and perfect ſalvation of the elect and whole Church, it is alſo plainely and moſt perſpicuouſly written, that one chiefe ende, purpoſe, and intent of preaching the ſaid Goſpell, and the vnſearchable riches of Chriſt in the Goſpell contained, and of making cleere vntounto all men the fellowſhip of the miſtery of the Goſpell, was this, that now vntounto principalities and powers in heavenly places, (that is vntounto Angels) might be knowne by the Church (not the great ſalvation of the Lord) but the manifolde wiſdome of God. Epheſ. 3.10.
To ſpeake therefore for the Goſpell, and for the ſincere miniſtery & Miniſters therof is to ſpeake not only forc)But to ſpeake in a ſchiſmaticall cauſe, is to ſpeake neither for God nor for Angels. God, but alſo for the Angels. To ſpare ſpeaking and other paines taking for thed)Their contention with vsus is neither about the Goſpell, nor the ſincere Miniſterie thereof. Goſpell and ſincere miniſtery therof, is to ſpare ſpeaking and taking paines for God him ſelfe & for his bleſſed Angels: and ſo conſequently, to provoke both the Lord himſelfe of heaven and earth, and alſo the whole hoſt and army of heaven againſt vsus. For, what elſe may bee hoped for where there will not ſo much as earneſt words bee ſpoken for God, or for his Angels?
Reſolution of the 2. Argument.
The Miniſterie of the Goſpell is not onelyonly for earthly men, but alſo for heauenly Angels. To ſpeake for the Miniſtrie and Miniſters thereof, is to ſpeake not onelyonly for GOD, but alſo for the Angels.
Ergo. The high Court of Parliament is bound, to plead for the Miniſters: otherwiſe by ſparing ſpeach, they ſhall prouoke both the Lord himſelfe, and alſo the whole hoſte and armie of heauen againſt them.
ANSWER.
1. To the Antecedent.
1. THat the Miniſterie of the Goſpell is for Angels, is an ambiguous & perplexed ſpeech. and ſauours of a Paradoxe. For how will the Suppliants vnderſtand this ſaying? Is the Miniſterie of the Goſpell, ſo ordained for Angels, that they ſhould be Miniſters thereof? Vnpoſſible. Is the Miniſterie ordained to conuert them, and to preach repentance vntounto them? Abſurd. Seeing they never ſinned. Or is it becauſe thereby they might learne and know the Wiſedome of God? But ſo do they alſo by all other the creatures and actions of God.
2. What can this make for the Suppliants? The Controuerſie betweene them and vsus, is not concerning the Miniſterie of the Goſpell, but touching a few pettie accidentall circumſtances: for which, if any man forſake the neceſſarie function of his Miniſterie and calling, he hath the more to anſwer for.
3. Every man is bound to promote the Miniſtery of the Goſpell to his power, and alſo to helpe and further a Miniſter thereof, as he is a Miniſter, not as he is in error, or carried away with faction.
4. The Errour is foreign in Theologia. Alſo, foreign
II. To the Conſequence.
1. It doth not follow, that becauſe the wiſe and iudicious aſſemblie of Parliament iuſtly refuſe to intermeddle in the quarell of Schiſmaticall Miniſters, farther then to admoniſh them to deſiſt from their ſingularity and turbulent dealing, that therefore they ſhall prouoke the Lord of Hoſtes and all the Angels and Saints in heauen againſt them. But rather it followeth on the contrary.
2. If that Honourable Court ſhould take part with Schiſmatikes, and intercede for them, to detaine both them and the people ſtill in faction and error, then certainly they ſhould prouoke the wrath of God, and the whole hoſt of heauen againſt them: Pſal. 50.17.18. &c.
3. The Errour is foreign.
III. ARGVMENT.
ASa)This & the moſt part of the ſubſequēt Arguments are grounded vponupon a falſe principle, to wit, that the Refractary Miniſters quarell againſt the Church of England, is the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, the Saluation of the people. &c. Whereas indeed all the contention is about Croſſe, Surplice, and ſome other in different Ceremonies & Actions in the Church. And all theſe Argumēts do make ſpecially againſt thē, ſeeing they be onelyonly diſturbers of the ſincere profeſſiō of the Goſpell & worke of the Miniſtery, yea ſeeing they forſake their calling & moue ſo great concentions and brawles about ſo ſmall matters. Ioſeph hauing interpreted the dreame of Pharaoh his chiefe Butler, touching his reconciliation againe to the grace of Pharaoh, and the recouery of his former place of honourable ſeruice before Pharaoh, deſired him to hace him in eemēbrance, when he ſhould be reconciled and reſtored, Gen. 40.41. So it is recorded by the holy Ghoſt, and acknowledged by the ſaid Butler as a great fault, that he had not remembred Ioſeph but forgotten him. Gen. 40.23. & 41.9. If it were ſo great a fault in Pharao his butler not to remember and ſpeake for one Ioſeph, that had interpreted one dreame touching his reconcilement to a mortall Prince, and the recouery of an earthly preferment, (neyther of which notwithſtanding he knew not how long he ſhuld enioy, at the moſt he could not enioy them any longer then during onelyonly naturall life) how great them is the fault of all thoſe, that neglect to ſpeake for many miniſters of the Goſpell, that hauehave not once, but often, and dayly interpreted many myſteries of God, touching their reconciliation with God himſelfe and their euerlaſting aduancement in heauenly places. Epheſ. 2.6. To walke in white with Chriſt Ieſus, yea to ſit alſo with him in his throne, as he himſelfe ſitteth in the throne of his Father? Apoc. 3.5. & 21. Yea verily, as the fault of the Butler was the leſse, becauſe being enlarged, he had none to remember him of that duty ſo the fault of thoſe ſhalbe the greater, that hauehave manyb)Would God they were half ſo diligent in a good cauſe as they are importunate to ſow ſchiſme & ſedition amongſt Bretheren. But they deſerue ſmall cōmendation and thankes of any good Chriſtian for their importunity and earneſtneſſe herein. dayly to put them in mind thereof, and to prouoke them therevnto, and yet for all that doe hold their peace.
Reſolution of the 3. Argument.
It is a ſinne not to recompence a good turne receiued.
Ergo. The refractary Ministers are to be regarded & ſpoken for.
ANSWER.
1. It is true good deedes muſt be rewarded, ſpecially the Miniſters faithfull labours. The Apoſtle ſaith (1. Cor. 9.11. If we hauehave ſowen vntounto you ſpirituall things is it a great thing &c.
2. But in that the Refractary Miniſters hauehave looked backe, and withdrawne their hands from the plough. Luk. 9.62. making a manifeſt ſchiſme and diſturbing the peace of the Church, this deſerueth no recompence.
3. The errour is foreign. And foreign.
IV. ARGVMENT.
THe whole Armie of Iſraell ſpake with great courage in behalfe of Ionathan thus, Shall Ionathan dye who hath mightely deliuered Iſrael? God forbid. As the Lord liueth, there ſhall not one hayre of his head fall to the ground, for hee hath wrought with God this day. 1. Sam. 14.45. Were this common people that liued vnderunder the Lawe, and which had not had ſo plentifull and cleare inſtruction as is now reuealed by the Goſpel: were this common people (I ſay) ſoa)Ionathans caſe and the Schiſmatical Miniſters is altogether vnlike, See the Anſwer. And the vrging of this zeale, hauing not the like cauſe, ſeemes to be very dāgerous But I ſpare my Brethren. zealous for Ionathan in regard onelyonly of a bodily deliuerance, from bodily enimies, whereof he had not beene the Author, but onelyonly an inſtrument of God; and ſhall not this high Court of Parliament now aſſembled, being the chiefe flower of this whole Realme of England and repreſenting the whole Realme, bee zealous and earnest for many whom God hath vſed as his inſtruments, and who hauehave wrought with God, and daily would ſo worke with God (ifb)The greater is their ſin, whoſe Superſtition & wilful obſtinacy hath reſtrayned their liberty, & made them vnſeruiceable in the Church. they may hauehave liberty) for the ſpiritual deliuerance of many thouſands frō ſpirituall enimies, euen to turne them from darkeneſſe to light, & from the power of Satan to God, that they may hauehave forgiuenes of ſinnes, & inheritance among them that are ſanctified by faith in Chriſt. Act. 26.18.
Reſolution of the 4. Argument.
Such whom the Lord hath made his instruments, for the ſpirituall deliuerance of many thouſands from ſpirituall enemies, are to be reſpected and recompenſed.
Ergo. The Refractary Miniſters are to be remembred and reſtored.
ANSWER.
1. This Argument is paralell vntounto the former, and is there fully anſwered.
2. The Miniſters, in deliuering thouſands from ſpirituall enemies, did but their duty, for which they deſerue louelove of the people and commendation of all men: but they ſhould ſtill hauehave cō tinued faithfull in their Miniſtery, and not ſhamfully hauehave forſaken their calling.
3. Ionathans example, alleadged by the Suppliants, is vnlike vntounto the Miniſters caſe. For Saul in deepe hypocriſie, had made a raſhe vowe, that whoſoeuer did taſte any foode &c. (1. Sam. 14.24.) ſhould be accurſed, and die the death, wherefore the people iuſtly reſcued him from the fury of Saul. But the actions of our dread Soueraigne are not ſo exorbitant, they are not raſhe and heady, but aduiſed and iuſt, intended for vnity and quietneſſe in the Church, to preuent and repreſſe phanaticall giddineſſe, ſchiſme, factions and innouation.
4. The Errours of this Argument, are aſwell the ſame with the former, as alſo foreign; in the allegation of an impertinent Example.